The Greatest Moment of a Generation

I will admit that going in I was not looking forward to standing for three hours. BUT there was no way I was going to miss out on the event or the atmosphere of being in the center of it all, downtown when it was going to happen.
Everyone signed up for tickets, but there was no knowing who would be getting them. We waited on pins and needles, but knew we would be going down there regardless.
Then we got the email saying we would be emailed our tickets the following night, and yet still I wouldn't allow ouselves to believe it.

And then the email came.
The top half of the ticket looked like this:
We knew we were going to be THERE, seeing Obama speak, win or lose we would be there with like minded people experiencing it together.
And when I got downtown to meet up with friends, the atmosphere was AMAZING. People everywhere sporting Obama gear, selling Obama gear, cheering and talking to people they don't even know. I LOVED EVERY SECOND.
My one great regret is that we did not use all of our tickets. We found two people to take them, but because of circumstances we were not able to meet up with them and get them in with us. We thought there would be a line of people waiting, but it soon became clear that the "line" was really a series of checkpoints and that it would be very difficult for people to find us or for us to wait.

Okay I have two regrets, not bringing my camera. The list of restricted items was so that I was afraid to bring it. Mike still supports my decision, but these camera phone pictures will NEVER do justice to the night.

We did meet up with our friend Justin (on the right) and his friend John (on the left). It is the first time I have met John, but I am so glad that we got to share the night with him. We had great energy. People in line were on their iPhones and Blackberries, listening to radios and calling friends for updates. Mike got texts from our friend Michael Barker. We would then share the latest number with all of those in the surrounding area. And then it would trickle out like ripples. The excitement and the analysis of what the numbers meant. It was all pins and needles.

It seemed to take forever to get through the line, but the line moved steadily enough that there was no sitting down, no place to either, unless you wanted to sit directly on the street that had been turned into the walkway for all the rally goers.

Once we got in we manuevered our way into the crowd, which was already large. We were able to get in view of a jumbo tron and a obstructed view of the stage, well for Mike. He was able to see the podium when standing on tip toes and had a good view of the screen. I had to strain to see the screen. The hardest part was when people would press forward. Luckily this was no concert. People were just trying to get a better view.

But everyone was warm and excited. Warm both emotionally and literally by the way. I was comfortable in a three quarter sleeve shirt of the whole rally. How amazing that it was THE most beautiful night of this fall.

And then we stood.

And waited.

There were moments of amusement. Making fun of people who claimed they were looking for friends as a reason to snake further forward in the crowd. Trying to text or call other people you knew were going ot be there--completely futile. When they were doing sound check and we would yell "LOUDER," or chant "Turn it Up!" They would also do the "1, 2, 3, 4, sound check." But also say "O-BA-MA" and we would yell back "OBAMA!" We would occassionally chant for the hell of it too, but this crowd was so chill it wouldn't even do the wave.

I'm not saying that they weren't enthusiastic.

I think we were petrified.

We have lost so many times and THIS guy, he's means TEN TIMES more to us than the ones before. Not just because of his heritage, but becuase of WHO HE IS. An amazingly inspirational speaker, a leader, a visionary. We are filled with hope for what he can do for our country if he has the chance and we were tied up with knots inside thinking that we might lose that chance.

We kept telling ourselves we would be waiting a long time. But the numbers kept falling in favor of Obama and we would erupt into cheers each time it did. And of course booing when a state would fall the other way. It was like being at a sporting event where the ENTIRE crowd is rooting for the home team. Amazing.

And then the polls were about the close in California and Justin said "Wait, with California's electoral votes we will have enough to win." Then the crowd started counting down "7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1!" And almost immediatly the broadcasters announced Obama the next president of the United States.

And everyone went nuts. I was still in shock and everyone around me was jumping and screaming and waving their arms, and I won't lie and say I wasn't a little scared for a second, Mike was using me to push off and jump higher! But we all hugged and cried a little and screamed some more.

And then realized that we would have to wait for McCain to concede.

Well it didn't take too long, his speech was longer. At this point our crowd was pretty polite, it's easy to take the high road as winners.

There was a little more waiting before we got what we really wanted. To hear and see our new President.

This is suppose to be the stage. I am sure you can not see anything, but maybe if you look at some GOOD pics elsewhere you might get a feel. The REALLY bright blob is the press tent, which Obama was facing, not the majority of the crowd, which was to his right. Just to the left of the bright blob...Okay nevermind. When I stood on Mike's bent thigh I could see him. This looks way farther away, but oh well.

It was amazing, I cried, but when he was done speaking, I was exhausted.

At this poing we turned around and looked behind us. People as far as you could see.

With waiting in line, it turns out we stood for approximately 5.5 hours. Most of it trained into a two foot radius. And then we had to walk to the train. But there were about a hundred thousand people heading for the train. The crowd seemed to go on forever.

So we decided to get a drink first, put our feet up and wait out the crowd. Little did we and more importantly little did the south loop bars know, that this crowd was young and ready to celebrate. Most of the bars were closing as rally goers arrived at their doorsteps and so the other half were full to bursting. And the LAST thing I wanted to do was stand more.

A little ashamed to say I was downright GRUMPY!

Almost too grumpy to enjoy the happy crowds, but I did take it all in and I will never forget strangers hugging, yelling "We DID IT!" Standing on planters and road blocades and just whooping it up.

But oh well. Justin and John stayed at one of the crazy full bars for their drink and we headed for the Brown Line. And wouldn't you know it we came across a little dive just a block away from the library stop that was not too full and we found seats right away. It took a little while to get our drinks, but we chilled out, rested our feet and recharged for the train ride home. Which I slept through.

So a wonderful, exhausting night.

Today I am just weepy. At the very mention, the very thought of our new president I get weepy. I am so full of joy, it is brimming over through my eyes.

Thank you to everyone who voted for Obama.

We Did It!

Congrats Erin and Paul!

Picking the pics for this post was the hardest process. There are so many good ones, but even though this is a scrapbook, it is not the same as actual pages I can't arrange and emphasize, so here I try and show the best.

Erin and Pauls wedding was amazing. A big part I think is because so many people came together to make all the elements possible. Above is one of my favorite pictures from the weekend. The owners of the local Sun Theatre in downtown Grand Ledge have been long time family friends. They changed their markee as a surprise for us after the rehearsal dinner.
Love it. How appropriate for this movie crazed couple.



But backing up a touch, that day was a long one, decorating the hall. Since it was a wedding ON Halloween and was four years in the making, the Buitendorp clan went all out. Collecting pieces over the years at sales ect, there was a lot to put up and it took us ALL DAY to do it.


Erin's twin sisters headed up the stringing of lights, hanging of garlands and other details. Erin's other sister worked on ceremony decor outside. Erin's mom kept Erin and me busy with the tables. And Erin's dad headed up the special lighting, which was extensive. Geoff, Erin's dad, is an event manager, so he has connections he used those as well as a neighbor that does even lighting as well. It was amazing. There were also the pumpkins, Paul and his dad worked on that. Paul's mom kept us all fed, worked with the caterer on their set up and kept track of other details. We were all working to make it beautiful.

But before we knew it we needed to change for the rehearsal. We got back to the hal just in time to practice the whole she-bang outside in the slightly chill october air.


We were all glad to get to the Cancun Grill for the rehearsal dinner. The highlight (besides getting to sit RIGHT ACROSS from the bride) was the song performed by Paul's bandmate with lyrics written by Paul's dad. It was lovely but the touching moment was cut by the timely arrival of the food and the waiter calling out things like "Chicken Fajita Barrito." we all tried to keep in our giggles and barely succeeded

The next morning I joined Erin and the twins at their parent's house to hang out and watch Erin get pretty. Mike had finally shown up and he hooked up with Paul and kept him sane while his Best Man had to turn tail and find his tux where ever it was that he left it.

We had our own moment of drama when it came to getting Erin to wear the veil. In my opinion she lost that battle the minute she let her mom purchase it.

We finished up with our makeup and then had to pack it all up and hed to the hall, where we would get into our dresses.

And what a lot of dresses, this is only half of what we had to take with, cause remember, there is a costume party element, for which most of the girls were changing and therefore needed a whole nother outfit.

That last hour before the picture flew by and before I knew it, Shawn was helping Erin into her dress! I missed the classic into the dress shot, I was lucky they let me take pics of there getting her laces tied. My fav part was when Erin had to brace herself against the pulling. he he.

But it was worth it. She looked amazing in her dress. To quote the lady herself, "I could trip into a mud puddle in the dress and I would still feel beautiful."

Picture dragged on forever, but it was nice to hang around and chat with everyone. There was much to thank these two, Erin's rents Geoff and Linda, for all the fun we were about to have.
Getting to know all of Erin and Paul's cool friends was definitly the best part of the weekend.

This family was definitly the coolest. Berkley was a junior bridesmaid and her rents Allen and Angel really contributed to the party atmoshere all weekend. Loved getting to hand with them and hope that we can visit Erin and Paul and see them again too.

After the picture we took a moment to look at the hall one last time and see all the finishing touches that had occured that morning while we were getting ready.

Although this is the hall before dark and so the color isn't quite at striking, but it is the best picture I have without people messing up the view of the whole. All the lights changed color ove3r the course of the night and gave the room a different atmosphere. It was amazing. People were coming in off the street all day taking picture and ahhhing.

The cake table was graced with caulrons and more halloween touches. Erin and Pauls cake topper perched on the edge of the top tier, a fun touch too.

But pictures were over and guests were arriving so we headed back downstairs for the big event.

Can you believe how nice it was for the last day in October, just warm enought for thoseof us with bare arms to be comfortable. Amazingly lucky for them to have this beautiful view over the Grand river and the opposite bank. It was a lovely ceremony. Just short enough to miss the 6pm siren to announce the start of trick-or-treating. But not without memorable moments, Erin "flubbed her lines" at one point and just said somthing like "and everything else too."

While the reception line slowly moved by the happy couple and their parents. We took a moment inside to relax.

All the maids together, there were no chairs all the one that had been in the room were needed outside, the ceremony was full to the brim. So we sat on the floor.

But thank goodness eventually we got to make our grand entrace into the hall, to the tune of "thriller." But the fun didn't stop there, instead of the more traditional clinking of the glasses they went for the sing a song with the word "love" in it. There were many many many people that took the wireless from the DJ over the course of dinner. I think there was even a line at one point. From Diana to Frank to The Love Boat we saw it all.

But my fav by far were these three that added a little dancing to there rendition of "Do a Little Dance, Make a Little Love, Get Down Tonight."

When dinner was over we all rushed to put on our costumes. I was surprised at the effort and thought that went into many of them and was a little sad that I hadn't brought more than just my ears to wear.

But I did love how Mike's ears and tail looked with his suit, so it was okay. And we went well with Kimmie's Cat Lady costume.

There was much fun had by all. I wish I had a good pic of Erin and Paul during their first dance. Paul with his Fedora and Erin with her Angel wings were a vision.

Towards teh end of the night I missed out on many photo opportunities, my battery was dying and I got sick of luggin the thing around. So I hope to get pics from others.

Amonng those missed was the costume contest, Most Imaginative, Scary and Funniest. But my favorite didn't fit into any of the categories, a older woman dressed as a flapper. Gotta find a pic of her. And even better than the costumes was watching people dancing in them. Friars and pirates, cowboys and flinstones, all getting down!

We all had fun dancing the night away and Erin's parents made everyone feel welcome, even strangers off the street.

No really, the three people on the right were wedding crashers, although is it REALLY crashing if the mother of the bride invites you in? On the left is the DJ, who was awesome and even made fun of poeple who requested tired songs like the Macarana.

But I don't think anyone enjoyed it half as much as Erin's fam and good for them, becuase they worked very hard at it and made it more than even they had thought it would be.

The moral of the story is, your wedding will never be as cool and crazy and fun as Erin and Pauls was. But if you want to take them on, but all means invite me and I will let you know how you did.

Dogs, Horse, Goats and a Bear

I love visiting my mom and seeing the cutest dogs in the world (don't tell Stanley). Above is Josie. She is the sweetest pitbull/border collie mix. I love the way she prances around.

Especially when wearing the sweaters I make her. She may be an old bitty (about 14 years in human years), at times like this she's like a young pup.

And of course Joche (foreground), he's a big lab mix, and ignited my love for big dogs all those years ago. in the back there, waiting for the toy to be thrown and to then pounce on Joche, is Tasha, my grandparents corgi.

But the point of the trip wasn't just to see these pooches, but their owners too. My mom, grandma, grandpa, my sister and her husband Jeremi.

My family is pretty chill. We just hang out, share meals and chat. There were a couple of highlights. Like meeting the newest addition to my sister's menagerie, her horse!

He's short compared to ones my sister used to wear and he's a moutain breed, so he gets shaggy in the winter. But he's a cutie and best of all, she is partnering with Jeremi's grandpa, so he's cheap!

I really liked his little buddy goats. This guy literally followed him around. love it.

But by far the best part was our mini fish fry.

This is a quick and dirty shot of the remains of my salad and a fresh round of fish fillets. Grandpa caught, cleaned and cooked the fish for us. Not all in one day, but it's still a far cry from my usual grocery store fair. It's even better with grandma's fridge salad, which is pretty much everything in the fridge, plus some stuff from the cabinet, too!

And I finished one of my knitting projects too!Pattern: my own (looked at various for guidance)

Yarn: 2nd Time Cotton in natural

Start:

Finish:

This was made for my sister's friend whose expecting. She sent me a pic of a baby sweater from online and This is what I came up with. Her objectives were 3 mo. old size, cotton and cream with green accents, namely a four leaf clover.

Thanks to mom's Pooh for a little help with the modeling. It took a couple times to get the clover petals up to grandma's standards, but I am pleased. Kelly doesn't know whether she is having a girl or a boy, so I wanted to keep it minimal and unisex.

I was so happy to find a button that went with my yarn so well. This cardigan has just the one, but its decorative, there is a nice big snap underneath it, a feature my grandma liked.

This cardigan has seed stitch edges, which is cute and make the edges lie nice and flat.

Love this sweater and my sister for supporting me and giving me the chance to knit such a cute piece.

Love My Lacey Duo

And my new Obama shirt. Bought from the campaign so my money goes for the cause, I think it's cute and also comphy. Too bad I can't wear it to work. Oh well, I did wear it to a kid's play to influence the young. Speaking of, real quick, Emerald City's "If you Take a Mouse to School" was a really good time. Very high energy and lots of engagement of the audience, I had a great time and so did the kids surrounding me.

Back to my Finished Objects.
Pattern: gloves are "Wine and Roses Mitts" from Interweave winter '06
scarf uses the "hand" lace pattern from above on size 5 needles
Yarn: Knits Picks, Alpaca Cloud in Tide Pool
Started: June 28/October 1
Finished:October 1/October 18
I started this scarf a LONG time ago. I worked on it off and on for three monthes and I was very glad to have it done. But I still had yarn left.
Hence I returned to the original inspiration pattern and made the gloves. I finished this set at the perfect time, because the weather is perfect for them. I like the lace pattern knit on the larger needles better, it is more visible. But the tighter and therefore warmer gauge on the glove is probably better for the mitts anyway. I still have yarn left, maybe next year I'll come up with a matching hat.

This weekend was also exciting because it was Blessing of the Animals at HCUM. Stanley was his best behaved ever. I think it helped that Mike was not singing in the choir, which always used to freak him out. When Mike would leave, he would whine the whole song. This time he just layed down most of the time and watched the world go by.
This service is always one of my favorites. First of all becuase it marks my anniversary at Holy Covenant. The signs for a Blessing of the Animals was what drew me into the church. And every year it is a wonderful sight. Many dogs of all sizes. I love saying hi to all of them. And this year we also had a rat, a cat and a bird. It is always harder on the cats, stuck in their carriers and freaked out. But the rat seemed to do particularly well.

I was very disappointed I did not have my camera, thank goodness for technology and my camera phone. Otherwise I wouldn't have even gotten this pic from stanley's point of view.

And last night was also a beautiful pink and purple cloud sunset. Was loving these cottonball clouds on my way home from work, but once home they were painted georgous colors, as cannot be captured here. Don't you love those.

Red Rain Boots

I have had many sad wet feet on rainy days when I lacked the proper rain gear. And I vowed that when I found the perfect pair I would buy them, even at full retail price. This was a high order because although I find the trendy patterned boots appealing, I wanted a more classic solid boot. Something that would serve me well for twenty, even thirty years. So they must also be by a trustworthy company. And finally I am cursed with large calves, and so finding a boot that would fit WITH my pants tucked in was my final requisit.
And last week I found them.
I love my new rain boots. Red, just like the one I had as a kid. These are by London Fog, so trustworthy. They do have a decorative tie at the top, which I love as a touch of the unusual. So of course I have worn them every chance I get. First when it was barely sprinkling Wednesday night (although there were puddles to sloosh through from earlier that day) and Stanley and I had to go pick up our organic eggs and cheese.
Aren't these eggs beautiful. Brown eggs are so appealing. Sorry about the bad lighting, but it was late and dark, overhead kitchen lights were my only choice.
My boots have also gone to the park the past two mornings. They feel a little silly on the dry sidewalks on the way there, but are right at home in the dewey wet grass and keep my feet blissfully dry, my tennis shoes always come away a little squishy.

The park on a fall morning is truly beautiful. I love the trees, the mix of green, yellow, red, bare and every combinations thereof. Glad Stanley gives me the motivation to get out and enjoy the grassy parts of the city.

Farmer's Market Plenty

I think this is the height of the season for farmer's markets. The strawberries and peaches may be all but gone, but there is so much more...
I was absolutely thrilled that the tomatoes are still holding on, I have a recipe for a chippea tomatoe salad I can't wait to make tonight. And the apples are now in full swing and the pears too! And the gourds, potatoes, onions, greens, honey, and so much more.
This week I got Fuji apples (my fav apple variety), and Bartlett pears from a St. Joe farm, which just warms my heart. Last week I bought a gallon of their cider and am still working on it. Not pictured here are two bunches of beets I plan on cooking up. The first I have bought this season.
The plum tomatoes and mini pumpkins are both from a farm in wisconsin.

There are three more mini pumpkins of the more traditional variety not shown, but I just LOVE the mottled skin on these. And they way the look in my yellow and orange kitchen. These mini pumpkins are the first purely decorative thing I have bought at the market, even though the beautiful flower stall does temp me every week.

I am so afraid that one week I am going to show up on Tueday morning with my dog, my weekly budget $15 and my tote bag to find an empty parking lot. I know I should just ask or look up the last date, but I just don't want this weekly bounty to ever end. The market is so much more beautiful than the produce dept at the store. So lively. The temporariness of it makes it more vital. Maybe that's not the word, more enchanting. Oh there are so many things it is.

Last year I participated in a CSA, I still do, but only for eggs and cheese. It was always too much food, I couldn't get through it all, before it would go bad. But I did love the way it made me feel. Like I was supporting the farms directly. The little guys, like my grandpa. He had to sell his farm in around 1970, but I wonder if this movement had happened back then, if he would have been able to hold on. The market taps into all that too. Sometimes I wish I could buy a farm and get some sheep and go rural. But for now I'll just enjoy my little piece of country life in the produce the good farmers share with us.

Two Tasty Days Off

I LOVE baking bread. I have taken a break from it the past couple monthes for two reasons. First, the heat. I like to raise my bread in a warm oven so the kitchen gets warm. This is fine in cool weather, you just turn down the heat that day. But in the summer it can be downright unbearable.

Second, time. There are some recipes that you can raise overnight in a fridge or while at work if you so wish. And having the kitchenaid mixer helps too. But it still takes hours to mix, rest, knead, raise, shape, raise and bake. And of course you want that hot loaf to coorespond with meal or snack. When Mike is home we can eat almost a whole loaf fresh out of the oven.

I was thrilled this week when temps dropped just enough for me to bake bread on a day I had off and didn't need to run errands! Time and Temp came together to give me three beautiful wheat loaves.
And my new (to me) oven works great, this is by far the best rise I have gotten. I still need to perfect a beautiful glossy crust, but the crumb was the perfect amount of lightness for everyday bread, tight enough to make good toast and sandwiches, but light enough to feel airy in the mouth. And delicious. So glad I have three loaves, each cut in half, wrapped in foil and then a bread bag waiting in my freezer. One morning/afternoon of baking gives me bread for three weeks.

I had another afternoon of good food on Saturday, but this time I also had good friends too. I made my favorite veggie chili, we watched college football and even got in a game of scrabble.

From about 3 to 10 that night people came and eventually went partaking in conversation and food and checking out our new place. It was nice to get some positive reviews on the new place. And nice to see friends I haven't in a few weeks. Three of the ladies were formally in a church knitting group and showed interest in having some social knitting get togethers. I would like that.

Thanks for coming over guys.